Goemaat: "the choice for Scania was crystal clear"

Goemaat aluminum and plastic window frames with branches in Goedereede, Oud Gastel and Goes recently took delivery of a new all-round air-suspended Scania G410 6×2 with a steered trailing axle for its operations. That the new truck had to be a Scania was crystal clear to son Martijn and father Jan Goemaat.

"We produce both aluminum and plastic window frames in the highest quality segment and often install them ourselves, including the glass," director and co-owner Martijn Goemaat says of the family business. "Our specialty is, that we deliver a durable, excellent insulating and virtually maintenance-free product that completely matches the high Dutch aesthetic standard. In that respect, we are the connecting link between the profile manufacturer and the Dutch consumer. There is a lot of our own development in that. Because a plastic or aluminum window frame in the Netherlands often has to be finished much more beautifully than in other countries. This is reflected in the color, the way the window frame is put together and the finish. Another part of our added value is that we often install and glazing ourselves. That way you keep the quality under the best control."

With such high quality requirements, Martijn says only one brand of truck fits. "That it had to be a Scania was crystal clear to us very quickly. On the one hand because Scania's technical aspects best matched our requirements. But certainly also because, in our opinion, it is the most modern-looking truck. And that's important because trucks last a long time with us."

"We need a dedicated vehicle with a body tailored 100 percent to our requirements. So from a very early stage we wanted optimal cooperation between the dealer and the bodybuilder. They found each other right away because of the standard very low chassis height at Scania in combination with an innerliner for an optimally stiff and strong chassis. "The height is important because our glass and frame trestles are high. The rigidity and strength counts because of the 18 ton/meter crane on the back of the vehicle. That Palfinger crane in one of the most elaborate version is there because it allows us to load and unload both the bucket truck and trailer from one place. But that spot does demand a lot from a chassis."

Whereas the chassis had to be as low as possible, Martijn wanted a cabin with a high roof. "That way you prevent the trestles from protruding above the cab, you get a better streamline and you still have enough space even in an extended day cab. There, too, Scania has a rock-solid proposition with its modular construction because not every brand can deliver a short cab with the highest roof. We could also have gone for the P cab, but I find that more of a truck for the city. I think the G version looks tougher and has an optimal balance between good entry, lots of interior space and a compact body. As a result, despite the crane, we were still able to fit a 7-meter-long cargo box. And that in turn is important because our glass and frame trestles are standardized. Now we can load the same on both the trailer and the truck. Via special chutes in the loading floor, we quickly secure the trestles. That saves a lot of time and fiddling with straps."

The new Scania is also completely tailored to its use on construction sites with lots of extra working lights, an extensive camera system on both the truck and the trailer, and air suspension all around. "On a construction site, that often gives that extra bit of height that keeps your bumper in one piece. Furthermore, we equipped the truck richly. Not only with two stainless steel boxes on the chassis. The cabin also received the necessary attention with leather upholstery, LED lighting and premium seats and infotainment with DAB+ and navigation. You can imagine that the driver is completely happy with it. Who has a thing for Swedish brands anyway as he is privately a Saab driver.

Goemaat entered into a full flexible maintenance contract for the service. "With 60,000 km per year we don't drive that many kilometers, but we do have a lot of PTO hours. By arranging the maintenance this way, we have a piece of security and one less thing to worry about. Let the dealer make sure that the truck is always available. Then we can do what we are good at."